Oil spill horror

The oil continued to spew a mile below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico Friday as President Barack Obama toured the coast.

Obama examined the beaches and efforts to block the wave of sludge from the BP oil spill that threatens to ruin the Gulf Coast economy for years. For many creatures, it is too late.

Still, anyone who says Obama has been getting a free ride hasn’t paid attention to the pounding he is getting in the media over his administration’s inability to stop the leak and its damage. Welcome to W’s world, Mr. President.

Only the oil companies have the euipment to patch the leak — if they can figure out how to do it.

But Obama asked for the job and will have to deal with the criticism that comes with it.

The rage felt by Gulf Coast officials and residents is justified, and the fact that inadequate safeguards were in place should have consequences for those responsible.

Nothing illustrates the horror of this catastrophe more than the plight or the birds and sealife caught in the tragic oil slick. The damage is truly horrifying.

Congress and the administration must put teeth into the regulation of offshore drilling or this type of tragedy will be repeated.

Obama has blocked new drilling while a new regulatory effort is crafted.

Meanwhile, birds, fish, bays and estuaries will continue to suffer the consequences along with the coastal communities that have economies based on the Gulf.